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Failure to Charge

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Failure to Charge
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We took a week off to recharge but we’re back with a packed show. Roberto went to Germany to drive the Mercedes-Benz EQXX concept and the production EQB evs. Sam drove the 2023 Nissan Z and the Ford Mach-E GT Performance Edition. Nicole had the Mercedes-AMG GLB. In the news, Chevrolet unveiled its Mach-E/Model Y challenger, the 2024 Blazer EV. Scott Keogh is moving over from running VW of North America to establish Scout as an all-EV SUV and truck brand. Mercedes is prepping to launch the its hands-off/eyes-off Drive Pilot assist system in the US in 2023. Toyota is bringing the new Crown to America. Sam finally encounters a major charging fail with Electrify America and Ford is bringing CATL lithium iron phosphate batteries to the Mach-E and Lightning. Links 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV Scott Keogh to lead Scout Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot to America… Read More »Failure to Charge

Locked in the Center

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Locked in the Center
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In the garage this week, Robbie had the Ford F-150 Lightning XLT with the big battery but he somehow neglected to haul any mulch. Sam had a last minute schedule change that led to substituting the Chevrolet Bolt EUV with Super Cruise. Nicole also had a scheduling hickup that meant she still had the same Nissan Altima from last week. In the news, while everyone is rolling out EVs as fast they can, Mazda has opted to launch an all-new 3.3-liter inline-six diesel engine for the CX-60 in Europe. We also discuss the challenges of parking in your driveway if live in San Francisco. Ford has filed two new trademarks, Escape Active for an updated version of the compact crossover and Thunder for trucks. Tesla will start opening some of its Supercharger stations in the US to other EV brands by the end of the… Read More »Locked in the Center

Into the Swamp

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Into the Swamp
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This week in the garage Sam has been driving the 2023 Kia Sportage hybrid which is now longer and electrified. Nicole has Nissan Altima with AWD and Robbie has just started testing some e-bikes. Nicole got to do a first drive in the Ford Bronco Everglades through the swamps of Michigan’s Drummond Island. Ford will no longer allow customers to buy out their EVs at the end of the lease while Hyundai gives the first official glimpse of the Ioniq 6 electric sedan. At Pikes Peak, Randy Pobst almost ran off the side of the mountain because he couldn’t find the windshield defroster control on the touchscreen menu of the Tesla Model S Plaid he was racing and the TFL Truck crew put the Ford F-150 Lightning to the towing test. Finally we answer listener questions and Sam interviews Toyota executive vice president of sales… Read More »Into the Swamp

Cadillac Sings a New Tune

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Cadillac Sings a New Tune
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This week in the garage, Sam drives the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing (unfortunately with an automatic transmission) and Nicole gets the new Acura Integra (spoiler, Mr Nicole who owned an original Integra back in the day approves). Unfortunately, a flight cancellation means Nicole didn’t make it to Utah to drive the new Cadillac Lyriq, Sam and Robbie did get to try it out. Nicole did however, get to drive the second-generation Honda HR-V. At Goodwood, Polestar demoed the prototype of the 5, their new 884-hp GT sedan and Sam went for a spin in Ford’s new simulator. Links Polestar 5 prototype Ford dynamic driving lab Sam’s take on the Cadillac Lyriq Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of producing and hosting it you can join at https://www.patreon.com/wheelbearingsmedia

Broncos Big and Small

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Broncos Big and Small
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This week, Sam has a comparison of two of the first electric pickup trucks, the Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T. Roberto, has the Kia Stinger and drives the new Lunar Rover in GM’s simulator. Nicole has the Ford Bronco Sport at home and drove the new Bronco Raptor in California. Cadillac will build its new electric flagship the Celistiq at a facility on its Warren, Mich tech center campus. NHTSA drops the first batch of data on crashes while using assisted and automated driving systems and you’ll never guess who had the most crashes. Sony is forming an EV joint venture with Honda. Sam also answers lots of Lightning listener questions. Links Sony Honda joint venture Cadillac Celistiq production NHTSA ADAS/ADS data dump Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of… Read More »Broncos Big and Small

Talking About Pie

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Talking About Pie
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In this week’s garage, Robbie reveals that he is the last journo to drive the Kia Stinger, Nicole spends time with the Ford Bronco 2-door and Sam has the refreshed edition of the Lincoln Navigator. Polestar has revealed the first photo of the 3 electric crossover with the full unveiling coming in October. Renders of the new Ford Ranger-based Volkswagen Amarok are out but the truck isn’t coming to North America. Honda has a larger Civic-based HR-V coming to the US market. Lightning owners get an adapter to let their trucks charge stranded Teslas. The Biden administration has rules for EV charging companies that want federal dollars. Nicole has driven the Cadillac Escalade-V and Sam talks with Toyota product planning VP Cooper Ericksen. Links Polestar 3 VW Amarok 2023 Ford Ranger 2023 Honda HR-V Lightnings with Tesla adapters EV charging rules Warda Patisserie Wheel Bearings… Read More »Talking About Pie

ToyotaPalooza 2022

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
ToyotaPalooza 2022
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In the garage this week, Nicole is back in the Mercedes-Benz GLS450 while Sam has the dual motor, all-wheel-drive version of the VW ID4. Last fall, Robbie was about to review the refreshed 2022 Chevrolet Bolt when he got a call just after receiving it, telling him not to drive it. Since then, GM has replaced batteries in all of the Bolts built to date and they are safe again so Robbie is taking another stab at it. Last week, Toyota held the second annual edition of its all-Toyota-all-Lexus auto show at its North American headquarters in Plano, TX. Nicole and Sam got to check out the new but very familiar looking 2023 Lexus RX, see the Morizo Edition of the GR Corolla and drive the hybrid-only 2023 Sequoia. They also got to see some stuff that they can’t talk about or even acknowledge yet.… Read More »ToyotaPalooza 2022

Teslas Can’t See Aircraft

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
Teslas Can't See Aircraft
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This week, Robbie has been testing out the Audi Q5 Sportback, Nicole continues Hyundai-Fest with the new Tucson N-Line and Sam drives the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Sam also got a Kia EV6 for an EV road trip to Wisconsin. In the news we discuss why it’s not ok that Tesla FSD can’t recognize airplanes. NHTSA finally has an administrator after 5 years without one. Rivian loses its manufacturing boss while getting a new COO. BBS introduces new universal fit wheels and the Fisker Pear is coming to Lordstown, Ohio. Links Tesla Crashes into Cirrus jet Teslas can’t see aircraft Steven Cliff confirmed as new NHTSA administrator Rivian mfg chief leaves, new COO incoming BBS CI-R universal wheel Fisker Pear coming in 2024, under $29,900 Wheel Bearings has launched a Patreon. If you like the show and would like to chip in toward the cost of… Read More »Teslas Can’t See Aircraft

The Porter Wins

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
The Porter Wins
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We’ve had a quite a variety of vehicles to drive in the past week. Robbie went all the way to Germany to drive the new BMW iX M60 from Munich to Lake Como in Italy. Nicole has been juggling Hyundais with a Sonata N-Line sedan at home and most of the brand’s electrified lineup in Nashville with the Ioniq 5, Kona EV, Tucson PHEV and Santa Fe PHEV. Sam finally got to spend some quality time with the new Toyota Tundra as well. In the news, Porsche revealed a preview of what might be its next car for a single make race series, the battery powered, 1,000+ hp 718 Cayman ePerformance. Honda released the first teaser sketch of the 2024 Prologue electric crossover that will be built by GM on its Ultium platform. Robbie shares his impressions of the Concorso D’eleganza and Nissan and Mitsubishi… Read More »The Porter Wins

The Scout Lives

Wheel Bearings
Wheel Bearings
The Scout Lives
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This week Nicole has two quite different machines to discuss, the updated, extended range Volvo XC60 T8 Recharge and the Mazda3 Turbo. Roberto has the BMW M240i that hearkens back to the classic E36 3 Series and Sam has a reprise of the Ford F-150 Platinum hybrid. Sam also got to spend a couple of quality hours blasting around in the new 2023 Nissan Z. In the news, Lordstown has completed the sale of its factory to Foxconn, but there is far from a guarantee that the Endurance will ever get to full production. Motor Trend gets some very disappointing charging results from the new Toyota bZ4X AWD. With the post-IPO lockup expired, Ford has sold off two large tranches of its Rivian stock on the way to what will likely be a full divestment in time. Finally, Volkswagen announced that it will revive the… Read More »The Scout Lives